For me (and many others I suspect), the Deland book ranks up there with Tenyoism for a must have and the sooner the better.

Deland's Phantom Card trick (made by SS Adams) was the first card trick I ever owned. The enjoyment I derived from it is incalculable! In fact, I have one in that cool illustrated envelope hanging up on the wall.

As well, the Deland deck was my first trick deck and still my all-time favorite! A work of genius in both design and diversity.

Nowadays, I prefer history magic books rather than those teaching tricks (Deland's tricks being an exception) so I am very excited about this upcoming release! Deland was a strange and interesting character so this should be a great read.

I am also looking forward to the updated cards included within! The more of them, the better!

I.M. Magician wrote:Nowadays, I prefer history magic books rather than those teaching tricks (Deland's tricks being an exception) so I am very excited about this upcoming release! Deland was a strange and interesting character so this should be a great read.

Was hoping for late this year, but there's just no way because of the labor to lay it out, plus the printing in China (two months) and another month on the boat. Let assume it's August 1 today, add three months for printing and shipping, and it becomes November 1--that's before the layout which will easily require several months of work.

I was just thinking (uh oh!), this may be 200 pages more than Tenyoism. So Richard, are you considering three volumes rather than two? Do you intend to provide hernia insurance? Are you trying to get the USPS to hate you?

There are a number of reasons I am looking forward to this book. But one of them is to learn more about an area of card magic I have always overlooked.

Gimmicked decks.

With that in mind - I recently read about 'The Trilby Deck' by Joe Stuthard. It is a combination of a Svengali and a Stripper deck. Quite a neat combination. Big Blind Media re-released it a couple of years ago and it seems like it is worth checking out for those looking for some novel thinking in the world of gimmicked decks.

Just something to keep you busy until the Theodore Deland book comes out.

There will be no deluxe edition because DeLand has been dead since 1931 and isn't here to sign it.

But, there will be something of which I believe there will only be 100. It won't be inexpensive because it's going to cost a lot to make, however it will be something unique. About it I can say no more.

For those of you whom, like me, are looking forward to Richard's book on Deland, you may want to take a peek at this blog posting which features several interesting items produced by Deland with some of the context of those items:

Gary Brown wrote:For those of you whom, like me, are looking forward to Richard's book on Deland, you may want to take a peek at this blog posting which features several interesting items produced by Deland with some of the context of those items:

Richard Kaufman wrote:I believe each book will come with two identical decks.There are certain gimmicks I cannot print because USPC won't let me print an altered Rider Back.

You do have other options if you want to include a complete set of gimmicks, which would be nice since this publication is a once in a lifetime thing. Phoenix or mandolin backs strike me as viable options.